Jackets 3, Oilers 2 (SO)

Jackets took a measure of revenge on Edmonton for the collapse last month, coming out with the win in the shootout.

This was a chippy, tight-checking affair in which neither team really got a lot of good even strength chances. And in fact every goal was scored on the power play. There were two fights within the first three minutes, Blunden and then call-up Sestito dropping the gloves. First period was pretty even. Columbus dominated shots in the second, but each team let in a goal. Edmonton dominated the third pretty well, but the Jackets managed to get it into OT and then to the shootout. Three in the past week….ugh. Even when my team wins, still not a fan.

Mathieu Garon was pretty solid in net again tonight. Countdown to the official “goalie controversy” in Columbus: 10…9…8…

I should also make note that Anton Stralman had a goal and an assist tonight. He’s a player of whom I am not overly fond, given some of his lapses on the defensive side of things. But he has managed to contribute decently on offense, something Jackets blueliners have not done much of in the past couple of seasons. Now, if he can just turn around that terrible +/-, I might find room in my heart for the Swedish power play specialist.

Jackets, currently sitting in sixth in the West, leave on a long and meandering road trip that takes them from Texas to Quebec, and various points in-between. All of the teams they play in the next week have fewer points on the season, with the exception of the Rangers. Which gives some hope for a decent record on this road trip.